Phrase guide

pass up

verb · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • UK: /pɑːs ˈʌp/
  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To refuse (not accept); forgo.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, transitive

Examples

  • He passed up my invitation for dinner, saying he was too busy.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To submit (hand in) items to a person, usually one's teacher.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: Malaysia, Singapore, transitive

Examples

  • The teacher told us to pass up our English homework.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see pass, up.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • Can you pass up this box to the guy on the ladder?

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

fail to acknowledge

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • he passed me up in the street

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: ignore

5

verb

Meaning 5

refuse to accept

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • He refused my offer of hospitality

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: refuse, reject, turn down, decline

Antonyms: none provided

Narrower terms: dishonor, dishonour, bounce

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

13 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: ojentaa (ylös) — literal sense
  • Finnish: kieltäytyä — to refuse; forgo
  • Finnish: jättää väliin — to refuse; forgo
  • Spanish: dejar pasar — to refuse; forgo
  • Spanish: desperdiciar — to refuse; forgo
  • Spanish: desaprovechar — to refuse; forgo
  • Finnish: luovuttaa — to submit, such as homework to a teacher
  • Spanish: pasarse — to submit, such as homework to a teacher
  • Spanish: alargarse — to submit, such as homework to a teacher
  • Spanish: apurrirse — to submit, such as homework to a teacher
  • Spanish: purrirse — to submit, such as homework to a teacher
  • Spanish: alcanzarse — to submit, such as homework to a teacher
  • Spanish: apararse — to submit, such as homework to a teacher